The important physical properties of non-metals are given below:
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(i) Non-metals are brittle, i.e., they cannot be beaten into sheets. When hammered, they break into pieces. For example, sulphur and phosphorus are brittle non-metals.
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(ii) Non-metals are non-ductile, i.e., they cannot be drawn into thin wire on stretching.
(iii) Non-metals are bad conductors of heat and electricity: Except carbon (in the form of graphite) non-metals do not conduct heat and electricity because unlike metals they have no free electrons.
(iv) Non-metals are dull: Except iodine and graphite, non-metals have no lustre (shine).
(v) Non-metals have comparatively low m. pts. And b. ptz
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(vi) Non-metals have low densities.
(vii) Non-metals may be solid, liquid or gas at room temperature. Carbon, sulphur and phosphorus are solid non-metals, bromine is a liquid non- metal; hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen are gaseous non-metals.
(viii) Most-solid non-metals are soft: Only carbon (in the form of diamond) is very hard.
(ix) Non-metals are not strong; i.e., these have low tensile strength.